PetersenDean Roofing & Solar has just acquired Hawaii-based Haleakala Solar. Founded in 1977, Haleakala Solar is Hawaii’s largest solar and battery installer.

Haleakala Solar has been installing photovoltaic (PV) solar and water heating systems as well as battery storage solutions for more than 40 years and has completed more than 15,000 projects. There are plans to add roofing installations in the first quarter of the transition. The company operates on three of the Hawaiian Islands and plans to expand into a fourth in 2018. The newly acquired company is poised to add approximately 1,000 new jobs and grow to approximately $100 million in sales over the next 24 months.

Jim Whitcomb, founder of Haleakala Solar, approached Jim Petersen, CEO and President of PetersenDean Roofing & Solar, late last year for a strategic purchase. “It seemed like the perfect synergy between the two companies,” stated Whitcomb. “In 40 years, Haleakala has grown into the largest residential PV installer in Hawaii so it would only make sense to go straight to the largest rooftop PV installer in the United States when the time came to hand over the reins. We share a commitment to excellence and PetersenDean’s size, organization, and impeccable reputation will take the company to a new level.”

This new acquisition now positions PetersenDean as the nation’s largest publicly- and privately-held roofing and solar company. “PetersenDean is a perfect fit for Hawaii given our size and product offerings, in addition, we have the finance options to truly help the island community to install a new roof, solar or a home battery at very low monthly payments,” said Petersen. “We look forward to growing our business in Hawaii and adding more American jobs in doing so.”

Gary Liardon, the President of the Consumer Division of PetersenDean Roofing & Solar, is heading up this transition as well as the additional acquisitions planned across the United States in 2018. “We are excited to add Mr. Whitcomb and the Haleakala team to the ranks. Mr. Whitcomb will stay on and take an active role in the sales development segment of the company in Hawaii as we add new verticals to the market and expand to the remaining islands.”

This planned expansion will increase employment in this Hawaiian segment of the organization to over 1,000 jobs in the next 24 months. Currently, Haleakala Solar employs about 125.

Hawaii has long been a leader in renewable energy. In 2015, it set a mandate that 100 percent of the state’s electricity come from renewable energy by 2045. Regulators also just approved Hawaii Electric’s grid modernization plan along with a suite of demand response and solar tariff programs.

“Solar is a critical part of the state’s energy portfolio. The islands are a virtual incubator for all new technology in this space especially because of the state mandates that require all of the islands to be operating on 100 percent renewable energy by 2045,” said Liardon. “Hawaii already boasts some of the highest shares of renewable energy in the country, all on islands isolated from the stability of neighboring grids. That’s made them a natural testing ground for new technologies and regulatory models, including battery-backed solar and wind farms, aggregated demand response and energy storage, peak-shifting electric vehicle charging, and voltage-smoothing smart inverters and grid power electronics.”

PetersenDean continues to represent stability and innovation in both renewable energy and home improvement markets. The company’s solid fiscal performance and scalable systematic approach are paving the way for substantial growth over the next few years. “With the balance sheet, leadership, and strategic growth roadmap currently in place the company is on pace to grow from $400 million to over $1 billion in revenues over the next few years,” said Petersen.

CertainTeed Gypsum was rewarded for its perpetual commitment to excellence in customer service by Do it Best Corp., a home improvement industry co-op. Do it Best Corp. named the Gypsum division the 2015 Building Materials Vendor of the Year at its annual Member and Vendor Excellence Awards in Indianapolis. The ceremony recognizes outstanding performance among Do it Best vendors based on four criteria: product quality, service level, sales growth and sales/customer service.

CertainTeed Gypsum stood out this year for the high level of support it gives Do it Best member-owners through competitive pricing, enhanced programming and improved market specials offered throughout the year.

“At Do it Best Corp., our number one goal is helping our members grow and achieve their dreams,” says Joe Corah, divisional manager for building materials sales at Do it Best Corp. “CertainTeed Gypsum has been a highly effective partner in pursuing that goal as we work together to strengthen independent dealers across the country with top-notch programs and services.”

CertainTeed Corp.’s gypsum product division was first awarded Vendor of the Year in 2013 when its scored high marks in the areas of inside and field sales staff support, quality products and accurate invoicing. The product division has continued to excel in these areas, proving its commitment to Do it Best Corp. and its members.

“We are honored to receive our second Vendor of the Year award from Do it Best Corp., especially because of what it represents,” says Dave Engelhardt, president of CertainTeed Gypsum. “Maintaining strong customer relationships is just as vital to us as manufacturing innovative, high-quality products, and this award is evidence of our commitment to our valued distribution partners.”

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May/June 2020

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